February2015
DORWAYSNews from the California Department of Rehabilitation
Director Joe Xavier talks numbers with our budgets, fiscal forecasting & research team!
Director's Message
Like many Vocational Rehabilitation programs in the United States, the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) has been working diligently to develop a solid implementation strategy for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). As most of you know, the Act was signed into law last July. The Department is pleased with the opportunities the new law brings. We strongly believe WIOA will advance our efforts to provide the type of services our consumers need to compete in the global economy while meeting the current and future hiring needs of our employer partners.
We have been preparing for change by assembling work groups of DOR staff across all DOR program areas to identify impacts to our current program offerings, and soliciting stakeholder ideas for our employees and managers to consider along with their own. In advance of the springtime release of the law's regulations, we've prepared a four-part series of program-specific public forums. We're pleased to note that the call-in forums held to date have been very well attended. Our stakeholders and partner organizations have already discussed DOR's services to youth, changes coming to the One-Stop Systems, our engagement with employers, and the administration of Supported Employment programs and subminimum wage.
I am also pleased to report that I will serve on the state WIOA Implementation Group headed by the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency. As a result, DOR will be in a better position to collaborate with employers and stakeholders and communicate the input we receive related to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities.
Plan to join us for future public forums to discuss the administration of Independent Living Programs and, if you are DOR staff, share your ideas for change with your supervisor.
Transcripts for our public forums can be found on the dedicated webpage DOR established to communicate about WIOA. We update this page in real time, as more information is available. If you have feedback or questions about the new requirements, or would like to join our planning effort, please contact . As always, we welcome your input and value your participation.
On the way to 20@20x20.
Work Incentive Planning enables beneficiaries with disabilities to make informed choices about work and transition to self-sufficiency
DOR Reinforces Commitment to Benefits Planning
Last year, in response to growing consumer need and frequent community input from the State Rehabilitation Council and other stakeholders, DOR assembled an in-house benefits planning service in tandem with our vocational support offerings.
This initiative is called the Work Incentives Planning Pilot - or WIP.
Under this pilot initiative, DOR hired nine certified Work Incentives Planners (WIPs). Working with counselors, employment coordinators, and service coordinators, WIPs provide individualized benefits planning services to SSI/SSDI consumers who are job-ready and/or newly employed. This year DOR WIPs served more than 1,000 consumers.
The preliminary results of the WIP Pilot effort were very promising. A significant number of consumers obtained employment above Substantial Gainful Activity with the help of benefits planning services. We are developing a plan to build our benefits planning service capacity in order to serve even more of these consumers in 2015.
Kate Williams, Purpose Prize Award Recipient
Finding Purpose.
In October 2014, Kate Williams of the Lighthouse for the Blind, one of the Department's community rehabilitation providers, receivedThe Purpose Prize from Encore.org.
Encore.org acknowledges the skills and talents of experienced adults toimprove communities and the world. The Purpose Prize invests in people over 60 who combine passion and experience for social good. Created in 2005, the Prize is designed to showcase the innovation made possible by greater experience.
Kate may be shy about sharing her exciting news, but we couldn't be more impressed. Read more about Kate's tremendous work and watch her video featuring five DOR consumers!
Photo: blueprint for progress
Blueprint for Competitive Integrated Employment
DOR, California Department of Education (CDE), and California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) have entered into a new agreement consistent with the State's "Employment First" policy and other laws to make employment in an integrated setting, at competitive wage, for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities a high priority.
DOR, CDE, and DDS, in collaboration with Disability Rights California will meet with stakeholders over the next few months to develop a plan to identify changes in policies, practices, statutes, or regulations in order to improve integrated, competitive employment outcomes for individuals with Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities.
Goal!
Teaming Up for Success
In November 2014, DOR teamed up with Manpower to host recruitment for the new Forever 21 distribution center in Los Angeles. Employment Coordinator Erika Casas from the Greater Los Angeles District (GLAD) spearheaded the effort.
Manpower is the employment agency that assisted Forever 21 to fill 300 full-time and temp-to-hire positions as Distribution Center Associates and Warehouse Workers. Representatives came to DOR's GLAD office to perform on-site interviews.
Twenty candidates attended the recruitment, and thirteen walked out with a job offer. Six consumers started work that same day!
Hands On Training Graduates and Hyatt Staff Celebrate Success!
Deputy Director Bill Moore joined San Diego District Administrator Robert Louen and his staff for the Hands-On-Education's third training at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. This year, seven DOR consumers graduated from the hospitality training program. The two week on-the-job training program helps participants develop the fundamental skills needed for careers in the hospitality industry.
Two graduates were hired directly by the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Job placement providers from DOR community resource partners and the Hands-on-Education program supervisor are actively working to assist the other graduates to find employment opportunities.
Abilities United logo
Abilities United supports children and adults with disabilities and champions a culture in which all members of society are included and appreciated for their distinctive contributions. Located in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, Abilities United offer a variety of services and supports to youth and adults with developmental disabilities including early intervention, after school socialization, employment services, and independent living skills.
Working in partnership, DOR's San Jose District Office secured competitive employment for 28 consumers in 2014 at organizations such as Sprouts, Home Depot, and PetSmart.
Sharing the common goal of employment, independence, and equality with partners such as Abilities United allows DOR to achieve more than would be possible working on our own.
On the Road to Continuous Improvement of Employment Services
DOR is committed to provide outstanding service to Californians with disabilities. To ensure excellence the DOR must evaluate and continuously improve our service delivery system.
One way to improve service delivery is to identify opportunities to build on or modify current methods of working with consumers. We know that our community partners share our goal of increasing the quality and quantity of our consumers' employment outcomes. Through these partnerships, and in collaboration with local district staff, the DOR developed the Placement Plus proof of concept. This effort represented a significant investment in the evaluation of the fee-for-service employment services model to identify methods and techniques that will support improved outcomes for our consumers.
Based on the results of the proof of concept, including considerable feedback from staff and our participating community rehabilitation providers, we noted that soft skills training and work incentives planning offer significant benefit to our job seeking consumers. With this knowledge and the experience shared with the project team from our Placement Plus participants we are moving forward with implementing new strategies to restructure the delivery of employment services to our consumers. These efforts will involve open and direct conversations with community partners and staff who will provide the critical information necessary to ensure a successful and effective redesign and modernization of our employment services. We look forward to taking the next steps in fulfilling our commitment to excellence in support of our consumers.
Chris Longoria (center) with his wife Maria, (right) receiving the WAFA 2014 Quality of Life award from HermelindaSapien, WAFA Board of Directors Chair (left)
Sowing Lasting Seeds of Prosperity
Rehabilitation Counselor Chris Longoria from DOR's Gilroy office was recently honored with the Quality of Life Award from The Western Alliance of Farmworker Advocates (WAFA). Based in Sacramento, WAFA helps migrant and seasonal farm workers achieve self-sufficiency through education, training, job placement, and other supportive services. This award is presented annually to individuals who have worked to improve the quality of life for migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
In addition, Chris also received an award during the annual Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) Conference in San Diego. AFOP is a national organization that provides job training, pesticide safety education, emergency assistance, and an advocacy voice for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in 40 states and Puerto Rico.
As a result of DOR services and Chris' dedication, California's migrant and seasonal farmworkers with disabilities are becoming self-sufficient, self-reliant, and independent.
Photo: (left) Santa Ana Branch office VRSD team, (center) DOR staff at the CSUDH Mental Health Fair, (right) DOR staff at the San Diego district JOBTOBERFEST, (bottom photo) Van Nuys Foothill District and Blind Field Services jump starting their many NDEAM events.
NDEAM Time Warp
October was National Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM). Here is a look into DOR's efforts to educate America on increasing opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities.
Photo: (left) Mayor Ledford Jr. (right) Joe Xavier, accepting Commendation for NDEAM, (collage) (top left) Peter HarschMCing at Recognizing Rehabilitation, San Francisco, CA, (top right) The Monterey County Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities with Joe Xavier, (bottom photos) disability advocates and service providers at Recognizing Rehabilitation
Some highlights of NDEAM were Mayor Ledford Jr. of Palmdale, CApresentingJoe Xavier with a Commendation to acknowledge and celebrate NDEAM; the San Francisco district and Joe Xavier attended Recognizing Rehabilitation, a networking opportunity for Rehabilitation Student Counselors, Educators, Counselors, Community Based Organizations, Disability Advocates and Service Providers. All our district and branch offices attended many outreach events throughout California, contributing to NDEAM's success.
Kudos to our dedicated employees for their continual advocacy for individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, independence and equality.
Career/Retirement Sign
New Hires and Retirees
Welcoming new hires and thanking retirees for their service.
Central Office Staff
Accounting Services
Ariel Gonzales, Associate Accounting Analyst
Victoria Joaquin, Accountant I
ScetlanaLukashonok, Accountant I
Julie Cha, Accountant I
Yingjuan Wang, Accountant I
Audit Services
Regina Cademarti, Auditor
Kelly Montelongo, Auditor
Business Enterprise Program
Brigitte Jackson, Seasonal Clerk
California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
Daniel Gounder, Staff Services Manager I
CaPROMISE Unit
Kristi Downer, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Josephine Togiai, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Sylvia Hoggatt, Staff Services Manager I
Information Technology Services Division
Diane Hoschler, Business Analyst
Nick Beard, Project Manager
Kevin Fong, Staff Programmer Analyst
Management Analysis & Review Section
Alexandra Peace, Seasonal Clerk
Northern Sierra District
John Koval, Program Technician II
Office of Civil Rights
Saya Muniz, Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
Personnel Services
Sophia Gonzalez, Personnel Supervisor I
Marlari Tompkins, Seasonal Clerk
Social Security Program Section
Karla Bell, Staff Services Manager I
Specialized Services Operations
Stacy Cervenka, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Staff Development Section
Velina Gonzalez, Support Services Assistant
Retirees
Wendy Wilkinson
Staff Services Manager I
James Wright
Staff Services Manager I
Deborah Hernandez
Supervising Program Technician II
Leslie Spitza
Staff Services Manager I
Ronald W. Gough
Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf
The Department of Rehabilitation utilizes social media websites to engage with our consumers, staff, and stakeholders.Connect with us!